‘The expansion of cultivation is a sign of progress’. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer with arguments.

In the colonial period, cultivation expanded for a variety of reasons. These are

(i) In Europe, foodgrains were needed to feed the growing urban population. The demand for wheat increased largely in the 19th century.

(ii) Expansion of cultivated land was considered a sign of expansion by the British.

(iii) The British directly encouraged the production of commercial crops, like jute, sugar, wheat and cotton to get more profit.

(iv) In the early 19th century, the colonial state thought that forests were unproductive so forests had to be brought under cultivation and land could yield agricultural products and revenue. In this way, the income of the state enhanced.

Thus, it can be concluded that expansion of cultivation is a sign of progress.